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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Scarlet Fever? No out of hours appointments

63 replies

crisscrosscringle · 11/12/2022 20:49

Posting for traffic. Sorry, I know that is unreasonable. DD is five and has a sore throat, high temperature and a very spotty tongue. There have been cases of SF at school.

Waited on phone to 111 for an hour to be referred to out of hours service. Out of our service called back to say they have no appointments and that someone will call after 8am. DD is uncomfortable but very drowsy - she is currently sleeping.

All the advice says swift access to antibiotics is key to avoiding complications. I'm not normally one to get overly anxious or get scared by the media but I'm really worried another 12 hours before anyone even calls us is dangerous.

WIBU to just take her to A&E?

OP posts:
Cuppasoupmonster · 11/12/2022 20:50

YANBU. I would do the same. 111 are an absolute joke, it’s not your fault you tried to call and they’ve been useless.

StopMakingAppointments · 11/12/2022 20:50

I would take her to A&E OP. It's too scary to take any risks. I hope she's feeling better soon.

saturnsring · 11/12/2022 20:54

Oh gosh it's so scary at the moment isn't it. If you ring 111 again can they get you an out of hours appointment? Otherwise a&e but it won't be fun for your or your dd to be waiting for hours there if there are delays.

Original poster
crisscrosscringle · 11/12/2022 20:55

saturnsring · 11/12/2022 20:54

Oh gosh it's so scary at the moment isn't it. If you ring 111 again can they get you an out of hours appointment? Otherwise a&e but it won't be fun for your or your dd to be waiting for hours there if there are delays.

It was the out of hours reception that rang back to say 111 had put a referral through but they had no appointments.

OP posts:
FlissyPaps · 11/12/2022 20:55

I’m sorry OP! Yes take to A&E, there’s no guarantee they’ll even call soon after 8am, so it’s not worth the risk to wait it out IMO.

Hope she’s seen and feels better soon x

GrohlOnAPole · 11/12/2022 20:57

Can 111 not get a prescription sent through without an actual appointment?

I’ve had a call back from a pharmacist before who has done an antibiotic prescription going just on my description of DS’s symptoms.

LIZS · 11/12/2022 20:59

Can you ring a and e first, there may be a specific process set up for sf cases.

Alwaystiredzzz · 11/12/2022 21:04

Go to a & e, I’ve rang 111 before when my son was poorly and having difficulty breathing. They said a doctor would ring back in an hour, took them 8 hours to ring. I was up all night worrying, it’s not worth the risk. Next time I’ll go straight to a & e.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 11/12/2022 21:06

Had the same last week. 111 just said see pharmacy. I declined so they sent a referral to my GP to be seen the next day. I wasn't particularly happy but in retrospect it was fine. He started the abx next lunch time and has been fine since.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 11/12/2022 21:08

Any open pharmacies you could ring to see if they have tests/ can prescribe? I read online some are doing this.

jimmyhill · 11/12/2022 21:10

This is not an A&E emergency. At least call first thing tomorrow for an emergency GP appointment.

ScoobyBooby · 11/12/2022 21:14

jimmyhill · 11/12/2022 21:10

This is not an A&E emergency. At least call first thing tomorrow for an emergency GP appointment.

DS was diagnosed today with scarlet fever by an
a&e consultant and given antibiotics .

She most defiantly said it’s an emergency as getting the antibiotics started soon as reduces the risks of further complications.

I would not be waiting until Monday morning for a GP appointment .

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 11/12/2022 21:17

Cuppasoupmonster · 11/12/2022 20:50

YANBU. I would do the same. 111 are an absolute joke, it’s not your fault you tried to call and they’ve been useless.

How have 111 been useless? OP phoned them and they referred her to OOH - what is it you expected them to do at this time on a Sunday evening? Demand the OOH service bump one of their other patients to see the OP? Demand that GPS offer a 24/7 service? Helicopter in Dr House?

OnNaturesCourse · 11/12/2022 21:19

Stay up with her through the night. Any signs of her getting worse especially the drowsiness then call out of hours back. They should tell you if they think its an emergency and you should go to A&E if there's no appointments. Did they mention A&E at all when they called you back?

OnNaturesCourse · 11/12/2022 21:21

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 11/12/2022 21:17

How have 111 been useless? OP phoned them and they referred her to OOH - what is it you expected them to do at this time on a Sunday evening? Demand the OOH service bump one of their other patients to see the OP? Demand that GPS offer a 24/7 service? Helicopter in Dr House?

Show quote history

Absolutely priceless response! 😂
Bring in House. Save the NHS in one swipe of his stick.

tiggergoesbounce · 11/12/2022 21:25

Yes, i would take her if out of hours have no appointments.

Getting antibiotics in as early as possible is key

Original poster
crisscrosscringle · 11/12/2022 21:31

Just arrived at A&E. there's approximately 40 families already waiting in the paediatric waiting room so looks like we're in for a wait!

OP posts:
StopMakingAppointments · 11/12/2022 21:57

40 families! Is she able to sleep whilst you wait? Hope you're ok

Original poster
crisscrosscringle · 11/12/2022 22:04

StopMakingAppointments · 11/12/2022 21:57

40 families! Is she able to sleep whilst you wait? Hope you're ok

Yes, getting her to wake up is more of a challenge

OP posts:
Timmymagical · 11/12/2022 22:08

I hope she gets seen soon and is ok 😊

Unsureofitall · 11/12/2022 22:11

Hope all goes well and your dd feels better soon. Flowers

GoldenPineapple88 · 11/12/2022 22:14

Straight to A&E. I would never, ever ring 111 again after I was treated like a time waster and told to take paracetamol and rest... Fortunately my husband insisted I go to hospital and when I got there I was admitted immediately with sepsis.

Spiderboy · 11/12/2022 22:20

gosh I’m sure the waiting room is rife. I’d wear masks to avoid picking up anything more serious. You’re in for a very long wait OP. Sounds like a separate service is needed for this strep spike

Ljc1985 · 11/12/2022 22:22

I really hope you get her on the anti bs soon! I think you did the right thing going to a and e ! Wishing her a speedy recovery

IhearyouClemFandango · 11/12/2022 22:23

Surely SF in and of itself isn’t an out of hours/A&E case?